HVP Nepal-UK Christmas Newsletter
Namaste! And a very warm welcome to our newsletter for Christmas 2024.
We hope this finds you well, merry and bright with Christmas now nearly upon us. We have updates and warm messages from Nepal to share with you. As is also traditional at this time of year, we focus on the Scholarship aspect of our support for the HVP schools in Nepal. Sent out to the three schools on a quarterly basis, the HVP Nepal-UK Scholarship Fund either pays in full or in part the school fees for the children from the lowest income families, who would not otherwise be able to send their children to an HVP school. It is the most individual and perhaps the most meaningful way HVP Nepal-UK supports the schools and its students year in year out.
In this newsletter you will find updates from HVP Dang, HVP Balkumari and HVP Thali on the numbers of children currently being supported by the HVP Nepal-UK Scholarship fund, as well as the current context of need in each of the three schools. Most powerfully, you will hear directly from and read of the individual children who are benefitting from the scheme. They speak of suffering and loss that we find hard to conceive, followed by the difference an HVP education has made on their lives and prospects for the future.
We know many of you already give on a regular basis towards this fund and for this you have our heartfelt thanks. Many students would not be in school without it. We are appealing to you, our friends and supporters, who may already be thinking of ways in which you would like to help, to consider setting up a monthly Standing Order and to give a regular sum of money to the HVPN-UK Scholarship Fund. We are suggesting £20 as a monthly donation but would gratefully receive any amount that you feel you are able to give.
You can set up your monthly donation through our JustGiving page – not forgetting to authorise the extra 25% Gift Aid if applicable. Simply go to:
Thank you for your support. It means a huge amount to us and it makes a vital difference to the lives of those children most in need within the HVP communities in Nepal.
From everyone at HVP Nepal-UK, we wish you all a very merry and peaceful Christmas.
HVP Nepal-UK
Schools and Scholarship Updates
HVP Dang and Children's Peace Home - by Minakshi Yogi (International Communication Co-ordinator)
I am writing this email on behalf of Dr. Bhola Nath Yogi, who is currently in India representing Nepal at the Global Yoga Conference. Here is the latest update on the HVP UK Sponsorship Fund at HVP Dang:
Currently, there are 138 students receiving scholarships:
Out of these, 38 students receive 100% sponsorship, which covers school-related fees, accommodation, food, stationeries and all other expenses while living in the Children’s Peace Home.
The remaining 100 students receive partial sponsorship, which covers school fees, stationeries and other school related expenses. .
Here are some additional updates from HVP Dang:
Earlier this year, all Secondary Education Examination (SEE) students passed with excellent marks, reflecting their dedication and the effectiveness of our educational framework.
We have launched a new Montessori education system for primary classes, which has significantly contributed to the holistic development of our students. This is an essential facility for HVP, and there is still a need for further development in this area.
Recently, students in grades 8, 9, and 10 went on a tour in the eastern part of Nepal, where they had a wonderful bonding experience with their teachers.
The Private and Boarding Schools' Organization Nepal in Dang organized a running shield program, where 49 schools participated. Our HVP students secured first and second positions in various competitions, including long jump and Kabbadi, a traditional Nepali sport.
The unwavering support we have received from HVP Nepal-UK has touched many hearts and lives. The children in the Children’s Peace Home are living carefree and happy lives; and all those who have been receiving partial scholarships have been able to study without any constraints because of the generosity of warm-hearted individuals like you.
On behalf of all the children, I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved in this journey.
With warm regards,
Minakshi Yogi
International Communication Coordinator
Children’s Peace Home
HVP Balkumari - by Vishnu Bhakta Dangi (Principal)
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2025 to all of our HVP Nepal-UK friends.
Below is the summary regarding the students supported by the HVP UK Sponsorship Fund at HVP Balkumari:
1. 11 students have been receiving free education of a full scholarship with the help of the HVP Nepal-UK Scholarship Fund.
2. It would be great support if HVP Balkumari could get financial assistance from HVP Nepal-UK to help another 15 students with full scholarships.
3. Out of only 306 students, this year the school has been able to provide full or partial scholarships to 65 students (including 11 students supported by HVP Nepal-UK Fund). Despite its financial challenges, HVP Balkumari is trying its best to provide free education to as many students as possible as per its philosophy of providing free education to the children with difficult backgrounds.
Further Updates
Following the visit of Merchant Taylors' School (MTS) in July 2024 and the relationships that were made between the students and teachers of both schools, thanks to the MTS fundraising by their students, we are looking at eventually replacing all the old classroom desks with new ones at both HVP Balkumari and HVP Thali.
We have now a new chair for the school management committee. We are very happy to have Mr. Shreeom Shrestha Rodan ji as our chair. He is an author, journalist, social worker and artist and has been associated with HVP almost since its inception.
On behalf of all the students and teachers at HVP Balkumari, thank you for you ongoing support. Once more, we wish you a very happy Christmas.
With love and best regards,
Vishnu
HVP Thali - Rajkumar Shrestha (Principal)
Warm Namaste to all our friends at HVP Nepal-UK!
Everyone on the HVP Thali team is well and I hope the same is true for everyone at HVP Nepal-UK. First of all, I would like to wish Merry Christmas and early joyful New year- 2025 to you and all your families. I would also like to remind you of the sweet and memorable visit to HVP Thali in July from Merchant Taylors' School.
Here I mention the scholarship details for HVP Thali:
1. Our school has altogether 450 students at present. Among them, most of the students belong to poor financial family backgrounds. So, our school has been providing full and partial scholarships for the students.
2. There are altogether 105 students who currently receive financial assistance from the school's fund. Among them 5 students benefit from the HVP UK Scholarship fund. A further 5 students benefit from the Maiti Nepal- Mahila Adharshila scholarship fund and the remaining 95 students benefit from the internal school fund on the basis of: their academic performance, the financial status of their families, their good moral character and well-disciplined manner, if they come from a minority community, face physical challenges, and are either orphans or victims of natural calamities.
At last, I express my heartfelt gratitude to you and for your concentration on HVP Thali. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2025 to you and all of the HVP Nepal-UK Family.
With Best Regards,
Rajkumar Shrestha,
Principal
Student Stories
Below is a collection of stories and profiles of students from each of the three schools, who have benefitted from the HVP Nepal-UK Scholarship Fund, both recently and over the years. They are profoundly moving and go right to the heart of who we are as a charity.
HVP Dang and Children's Peace Home
Namaste, I am Ranjita Budhathoki.
I’m one of the children living here in the Children’s Peace Home(CPH). I've been here for 15 years already and nowadays I'm doing my studies in Bachelors of Arts (BA) in English and Sociology. I feel lucky and blessed to be brought up here in CPH because. I got a chance to go to school, get a proper education and learn other important life skills as well.
Long time back when I was very little, I used to live with my grandfather, father, mother and my younger brother. My father had an alcohol addiction problem and he gambled as well. He was jobless because he didn’t want to work and always used to quarrel with my mother and even beat her over very little matters. My mother couldn’t defend or stand up for herself and could only pray to God in hope for better days for her family.
I went to government school at that time. Days were passing by as usual and suddenly one night my father came home drunk and he started an argument with my mother and started beating her for some stupid reason. First he hit her in her head with a torch light and then held her neck for 3-4 minutes until she died. He killed her in front of us. I couldn't do anything at that time because I was just 4 years old and my brother was just 10 months old. We had no idea what death was at that time. My father was charged with murder and was sent to prison. My grandfather was suffering from Tuberculosis at that time, and 4 months after my mother's death he passed away as well.
After the unimaginable loss and the nightmarish event that I had experienced, I was taken to one of my aunts' house and my little brother was sent to my other aunt’s house. I had no choice but to adjust there. It was okay living at my aunt’s house but, you know, it’s never like living in your own house with your own parents.
After 2 years of living with my aunt and her family, my aunt found out about Children’s Peace Home (CPH) and brought me there. When I first got there, it was all very new experience for me and I didn’t know how to react to it. Slowly I got used to the ways here and felt comfortable and happy living there under the guidance of our father our Guru Bhola Nath Yogi. Here I met other unfortunate and underprivileged kids who were adopted by the CPH family. I also joined the school there in Ghorahi, Dang, run by our Guru Bhola Nath Yogi. The school name is “Hindu Vidyapeeth Nepal” where I started my studies from Upper Kindergarten (UKG). When I was in Grade 4, my brother was also brought here. I was extremely happy to see my brother here, because I had not seen him for many years. I was and still am really grateful to CPH family for adopting my little brother as well.
One year after that when I was in Grade 5 my father came out of prison and he came to meet us here at CPH. At that time he promised us that he would work hard to take care of us and build a house for us but, he couldn’t keep his promise. He never came to meet us there again after that. He makes phone calls to me sometimes but, very rarely. I have now come to realize that fathers are supposed to be our superheroes, but not in everyone’s life story.
My journey here in CPH has been wonderful. I feel proud to have successfully completed my studies until high school and am still doing great in college. I have learned so much more here about various life skills and learned to hold a positive attitude, and discipline. I consider this place my heaven because I feel safe, comfortable and content here with my other fellow brothers and sisters. With constant support, guidance and love from our Mentor Guru Bhola Nath Yogi, Grandmother (our Guru’s mother) Guru Aama Jaya Yogi has made me strong and hopeful about my future.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the kind-hearted people who have helped me reach this point in my life. Because of you all, I am able to share my story today. Thank you for giving me hope to improve myself and contribute to the society I live in.
***
Namaste,
My name is Anju Budhathoki, and I am 20 years old. I am currently studying for a Bachelor of Computer Applications (BCA).
I grew up in a joint family with many relatives, but due to family conflicts, my father separated from his parents and relatives. In our nuclear family, we were my father, mother, four sisters (of which I am the youngest), and my brother. Unfortunately, my mother was suffering from cancer and passed away shortly after I was born; I was only nine months old when she died. My elder sisters and my maternal grandmother took care of me during that time.
Another tragic event occurred when my father died in a bus accident while traveling to bring a solar panel for the family, as electricity was not available everywhere at that time. Following his death, our only guardian, our grandmother, left us to fend for ourselves.
At that point, my elder sisters were still young and lacked skills, so we depended on the support of relatives and neighbours for food. My eldest sister grew up quickly; she began working to feed our family of five. Later, one of our relatives took in my three older siblings, leaving me alone. During this time, a village journalist recommended the Children's Peace Home (CPH) to my elder sister, which is how I came to find my new family.
I was five years old when I joined CPH. I still remember my first day there; I felt scared yet excited to be with so many other children. Over the years, I have grown and evolved in this nurturing environment. I have studied diligently and experienced a significant amount of happiness and positivity. Now, as I pursue my Bachelor's degree in Computer Applications, I am enjoying this new chapter in my life.
I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has supported me with love and kindness. I would especially like to thank my guru, Dr. Bhola Nath Yogi, Jaya Madam, and my grandmother for their unwavering love, support, and guidance.
***
Namaste,
My name is Asmita Sunar, and I come from a small town called Dangisharan Tulsipur, Dang.
Currently, I am a BCA first-semester student at TU University. Choosing a subject I’m truly passionate about has been one of the happiest decisions of my life. But the journey to get here has been anything but easy, and today, I want to share my story.
I was born into a lower caste family of five—my father, mother, elder brother, younger brother, and me. Life was tough. My mother stayed at home, and my father struggled with alcoholism and gambling, often selling the domestic animals we relied on for our livelihood. While my elder brother was sent to a boarding school for better education, my younger brother and I studied in a government school because we couldn’t afford the fees. Though I felt left behind, I never let go of my dream of getting a good education.
One day, a kind person in my village suggested to my father that I should go to a children’s peace home (Santigriha) to pursue my studies. As the only girl in my family, my father loved me deeply, and he agreed. I was both excited and nervous. For the first time, I was leaving my parents and the comfort of my home. I had never been anywhere except school and back, and the thought of living in a hostel was overwhelming.
When I arrived, I was amazed by the number of children there. I was scared and hesitant, wondering how they would treat me, especially since I came from a lower caste and had faced so much discrimination in my village. To my surprise, there was no such behavior in the hostel. Everyone treated me equally, encouraging me to take a plate and join them for dinner. I was so relieved and happy to see that this place was different—it gave me hope.
Being introverted, I found it hard to open up and make friends. It took time, but slowly, I adjusted. The hostel felt like a family, where we lived as brothers and sisters, supporting each other and focusing on our studies. Alongside my studies, I enjoy painting, playing sports like volleyball, and watching motivational videos, which keep me motivated. Despite the difficulties, I find joy in exploring my hobbies and learning new skills.
My dream is to become a software developer, and I am working hard to make this dream a reality. Looking back, I feel incredibly lucky. If that kind person hadn’t suggested this path for me, I would have never had the chance to escape the hardships and create a better future. In my entire Sunar family, I am the only girl who has been able to study without interruptions. From Class Three to Class Ten, I worked hard and consistently earned the first position. Even in tough times, I held onto the advice of my Guruji, Bholanath Yogi, who always said, “Never give up. Do your best.” Now, I am pursuing my Bachelor’s degree in IT, and I am determined to make the most of this opportunity. I know my family and village have high hopes for me, and I won’t let them down. My journey has taught me resilience and the power of hope. I am grateful for where I am today and excited about the future ahead. Thank you.
***
HVP Thali
Unisha
Unisha is one of the hardworking eighth grader student of HVP Thali. She lives in a village nearby school called Subedigaun. They are living in a small rented shed. Her parents farm for their livelihood. Although her parents earn some amount from farming, the income isn’t sufficient to afford the education for her along with her other two siblings. She is well-disciplined, hard-working, very sincere in her study and talented student, but belongs to poor family background. She is provided with a full scholarship from the HVP Nepal-UK Scholarship Fund.
Rashmi
Rashmi, who studies at Grade Nine is a sincere and an honest student. She is studying here for ten years. Her family is from a remote village of Sindhupalchok district. She lives in a rented single room nearby school and her father runs a small coffee stall to manage the family’s needs and her mother assists her father in his work. There is no good income source to fulfill their other needs along with education, beside their basic needs. She is therefore provided with a scholarship on the basis of her poor financial condition, good academic performance, good moral characters and active participations in school’s activities.
Dipika
Dipika is in Grade Eight and belongs to a Newari Family from a remote village of Khotang district. Her parents have no good income source, so she is being nurtured by her maternal guardians at her maternal uncle’s home. She has benefitted from the fund, given the difficulties her family faces and on account of her good performance in study and extracurricular activities.
Jenish
Jenish is ten years old now. He is studying at Grade Five. He is from Dhading district. He tries his best at school and he is active in most sports. He is doing his best into his studies as well. His mother passed away in the earthquake in 2012 A.D. He is living with his aunt nearby school, apart from his father. He is provided for by the scholarship as he is an orphan and victim of natural calamity.
Dipesh
Dipesh is now in Grade Five and he is from a remote village of Sindhupalchok district. He has good leadership qualities. Currently, he is living nearby school in a small rented room. His father earns his livelihood by carpentry, but the income isn’t enough to afford their basic needs properly, and there is no extra income source to spend on his children’s education. He also belongs to minority community. He is interested and curious to learn new things and catches onto learning fast.
Anushriya
Anushriya is a diligent and responsible student who has just passed SEE-2080 with outstanding result: 3.92 GPA out of 4. She is very talented and possesses a very creative mind. She is one of the top students in her class, very hardworking, disciplined and friendly. Everybody likes her and the juniors respect her. She belongs to Brahmin community of Kathmandu. She has been provided for with the scholarship for her outstanding results, hard work, creative learning nature and good moral behavior.
HVP Balkumari
Pramit
Pramit, who is 3 years old, is a Nursery student. He is a boy who comes from a very remote western mountain region of Nepal. He belongs to a very underprivileged family. He lives with his brother, mother and grandmother in a simple rented room in Lalitpur, Kathmandu. His very old grandmother is mainly taking care of him. His mother has walking difficulty since she was seriously wounded during the Maoist insurgency. Since then, she been struggling to maintain her livelihood and health.
Shreyan
Shreyan comes from the mid-eastern mountain region from Nepal. He is 7 now and studying in Grade 2. He was supposed to be in Grade 1 this year, but he is a talented student, so he skipped a year and was given an opportunity to study in Grade 2 just after he finished UKG. Though his parents are not divorced, they do not live together and do not have a good relationship. His father does not even know his whereabouts. His mother alone has taken all the responsibilities to take care of her three children. Shreyan has two sisters who study in the government schools. Realizing the difficulty facing this family, the school has provided Shreyan’s mother, Sharada, with a job. She now works at school as a helper.
Prashant
Prashant is a Grade 2 student and comes from a financially very poor family. For a couple of years he struggled to pronounce letters and words, but with lots of practice, he now seems more comfortable and can read words clearly. He is sporty and very interested in games. He lives with his mother in a rented room nearby the school. Due to the poor economic condition of the family, his father went to India and is working there. Whatever he can save from his simple job in India, he tries to send some to help his wife and son. But with no skill and qualification, one can earn but little in India, so his mother Sabina was looking for a job. She came in touch with the school a few years ago and explained her situation to us. The school then gave her a job and she is working as a helper at school.
Rubina
Rubina studies at our school along with her three sisters and two brothers. She is from a Muslim family and her family comes from Brigunj, a town bordered with India. Rubina is now studying in Grade 2 and she is a brilliant student. She is sincere and curious. This family lives in rented rooms nearby school and her father is the only member of the family who manages everything working in an automobile workshop. She and all her brothers and sisters are doing very well with their studies. They are all very keen to get involved with extracurricular activities.
Binaya Govinda
Binaya is in Grade 2 and comes from a Newari family. His father has no work, so it is his mother alone who supports the family running a simple tailoring business. Binaya had problems in reading and writing in the beginning, but now he seems much more confident. Although he finds learning difficult, he tries hard and has improved a lot. He is so lovely.
Diwash
Diwash studies in Grade 5 and he is one of the most active and creative students. He is a very happy boy with lovely smiles. He is doing well with his studies. He loves games a lot. He comes from Gorkha, a district located in the mid-mountain region of Nepal. He is taken care of by his mother only. They live in a rented room with very basic facilities. His mother works as a security guard in a Lalitpur based municipal office.
Prabin
Prabin, who is in Grade 5, is a hardworking student. He tries his best in every school activity and he is brilliant in sports. He is putting his good efforts into his study as well. His parents live in eastern Terai, southern part of Nepal. He is living with his family relatives in Lalitpur and they are supporting him for his food and accommodation. His parents are working as farmers in the village and their earning is not enough to help him with his study in Kathmandu.
Ayush
Ayush is now in Grade 6 and he is from Lalitpur, Kathmandu. He was a very quiet student in the beginning and so found it difficult to deal with some subjects like Maths and Science. But he improved amazingly and is now one of the most brilliant students in his class. He is very hardworking and studious, but he needs to be encouraged to get involved in sports and other activities. His parents have no jobs. His father had a major heart attack last year, but with His grace he survived with Nepali health services and facilities. Mostly his father used to come to school to talk to the teachers about his son, but since he had the heart attack, he has not come to school. Ayush is the only child of this family.
Rasbin
Rasbin is studying in Grade 8 and his brother and sister are also the students of HVP. He has improved with his study a lot compared with the past years. He is interested and curious to learn and has become a promising athlete. He has had a very difficult childhood since his mother passed away when he was a little boy. Due to extreme financial problems, his father disappeared for a few years. He and his siblings were taken care of by their relatives in Kathmandu. His father came back home after a few years of his disappearance, and got married with another woman. They are all living now together. They are still struggling a lot with only nominal earning from a small shop of musical instruments. Their father and step mother are somehow trying their best to manage living in Kathmandu despite several hardships and problems.
Ankita
Ankita is a student of Grade 9 and her permanent place of residence is Dang, mid-western part of Nepal. She is full of beans and always has lovely smiles. She is sincere towards her studies. Gradually she is becoming more confident and making more progress in her study. She is very good at dancing and so loves to participate in programs of this kind. She is very active and sociable and loves to participate in sports. Her brother is also an HVP student. They live in Lalitpur, Kathmandu, with their mother in rented rooms. In the family their father is the only person who works to maintain the family with a job of driving a lorry.
Binita
Binita is in her last year at HVP as she is studying in Grade 10. She is very talented and possesses a resourceful mind. She is one of the top students of her class. She is very disciplined, hardworking, sociable and friendly and is therefore called didi by her junior friends with love and respect. She is a very caring individual. She is equally very good at games like badminton, volleyball and basketball. She also has very good leadership qualities: she was Head Girl last year. She comes from an underprivileged Tharu community of Dang, mid-western Terai of Nepal. She lives with her father near the school as her parents were divorced last year. Despite these challenges and family problems, she is indeed doing very well with her studies.
***
Vishnu's Visit to the UK 2025
And finally....
Something to look forward to next year!
Vishnu ji, known to generations of volunteers as the wise and kind Principal of HVP Balkumari, is planning a visit to the UK in March 2025.
Details of his itinerary will follow, but look out for an in-person social gathering of HVP Nepal-UK in the Spring to celebrate his visit. We hope to see as many of you there as possible.
Once more, if, having read through the stories of the children supported by the Scholarship Fund, you feel inspired to set up a monthly or a one-off donation to HVP Nepal-UK, then please do so via our JustGiving page:
Thank you.
With our very best wishes for a happy and prosperous 2025, HVP Nepal-UK
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